Cleanup efforts underway across Southern California ahead of another storm

As the brunt of a major storm moved across Southern California on Saturday morning, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for a swath of Los Angeles County stretching from Santa Clarita to Glendora.

The warning is scheduled to expire at noon.

The affected area is populated by more than 4.5 million people and includes Burbank, Griffith Park, North Hollywood, Universal City, Pasadena, Hollywood, Van Nuys, downtown L.A., Mount Wilson, Alhambra, Beverly Hills, Encino, Northridge, Santa Clarita, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, West Covina, Glendora, Altadena, Sunland, and the Eaton Fire burn zone.

Residents were urged to move to immediately move to higher ground and move away from burn scar areas.

An earlier flash flood warning was issued until noon Saturday for Torrance, Compton and Inglewood.

The city of Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning through 11 a.m. Sunday for residents near the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset fire burn zones. Mayor Karen Bass said evacuation orders will be in effect through 8 a.m. Sunday for "select vulnerable properties within burn scar areas."

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 126 homes were impacted by the evacuation order, all in the Palisades Fire burn area.

The Run Malibu 5K event scheduled for Saturday morning in Camarillo was canceled as the second phase of a major storm moved in off the coast of Southern California, pummeling the area with heavy rain.

"Safety first! Due to heavy standing water on the course and at the start/finish line, we've had to cancel today's 5K. Thank you for understanding," Run Malibu said in a statement on its Facebook page.

"Expo will be open today for the Half Marathon, please stay tuned for more updates as we get them," the statement said.

The half marathon is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday at El Dorado Park on the campus of Cal State Channel Islands.

As a major storm moved into Southern California, a massive tree fell over onto a residential street overnight Friday in Lake Balboa, crushing an unoccupied sedan that was parked curbside.

No injuries were reported. The 7300 block of Oak Park Avenue remained closed Saturday morning as the cleanup operation got underway in the neighborhood just north of Sherman Way.

The National Weather Service urged homeowners to ensure gutters are cleared and windshield wipers are secure and working. They said people should consider rescheduling outdoor events, and advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded areas.

As a major storm moved into Southern California, a massive tree fell over onto a residential street in Lake Balboa, crushing an unoccupied sedan that was parked curbside.

"Avoid the roads, stay indoors as much as possible, and stay aware of your environment," forecasters said. "If you have to drive, allow extra time as traffic will be increased due to slippery roads, low visibility, and localized flooding. If you are near a burn scar, heed the advice of local officials as they know your area best. Reschedule and avoid outdoor activities. If you are outside and hear thunder, see lightning, experience sudden wind shifts, or a sudden increase in rain intensity, head indoors immediately and stay away from windows. Stay out of, and far away from, any streams, rivers, and canyons -- especially campers. Avoid parking near tall trees. Be ready for sudden power outages. Boaters, please stay in a safe harbor. For everyone, stay tuned to your local news outlet and weather.gov for any updates."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued a statement earlier this week, urging people to be prepared, offering a series of tips:

• Drive carefully, slow down and allow extra stopping distance
• Avoid flooded roads, turn around, wait it out
• Prepare your property by gathering sand bags and checking gutters and drains
• Check the condition of your vehicle and replace windshield wipers and tires if needed

There were no reports of major debris flows on Friday night, but evacuation orders were issued for homes near the Palisades burn scar as a precaution.

Heavy downpours overnight pose a significant threat to the Palisades Fire burn area. Dozens of homes are under evacuation orders.

As of Friday night, there were no major debris flows or damage reported yet, but as a precaution, the city of Los Angeles issued evacuation orders for a number of individual homes near the Palisades Fire burn scar.

"Due to the increased risk of mud and debris flow, the city has issued an evacuation order for specific properties considered vulnerable to safety risks, with a significant portion of those properties contained within the Pacific Palisades burn zone," Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a press conference with other city leaders.

It's been an ongoing struggle for the Pacific Palisades and Malibu since the January wildfires. Evacuation warnings turned into orders for 126 L.A. residents -- mainly near the Palisades burn scar -- and now, some residents are fed up.

"It's becoming an unlivable situation. We just can't keep going back to hotels," resident Diane Blake said.

The order is in effect for a number of homes near the burn scars from Friday night until 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Burned areas above the Pacific Coast Highway have been covered with tarps placed over hills to prevent mudslides.

Friday's storm caused a driver to lose control, crashing int,o a power pole causing it to snap on Kanan Dume Road, which ended up blocking key lanes on the four-lane road.

LAFD Captain Erik Scott says everyone needs to treat downed power lines like they are energized

"We want people to consider them energized and potentially lethal and be cognizant, too, that puddles of water, chain link fences, can all be energized and make that current go a lot farther," Scott said.